Four candidates vie for GOP nominee in 50th House race

February 21, 2014|By Alexa Aguilar, Special to the Tribune

The four Republicans vying for the party nomination in the race to replace retiring state Rep. Kay Hatcher share similar positions on almost every issue, including their stated focus – improving Illinois' business climate and economic health.

The candidates each say that experience will position them well to represent the 50th legislative district, which incorporates parts of Kane and Kendall counties. The four will square off in the March 18 primary.

The winner will run in the general election in November against the Democratic nominee. Former Yorkville Mayor Valerie Burd, who has regularly taken Republican ballots in the last several primaries, according to Kendall County records, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Each advocates letting the state's income tax increase expire. Each think pension reform needs to go further. Each is a strong advocate for gun owners' rights. None advocates raising the state's minimum wage. And each thinks that Illinois has created a business climate unfriendly to business.

Cosimo, 47, of Oswego said that as director of career development at Benedictine University, she has the experience to help with workforce development and job creation.

She said she would focus on legislation that will expand vocational programs. Along with her job at Benedictine, she has owned a small business in the past.

"We really need to look at how do we keep businesses in Illinois and help them feel safe," Cosimo said.

Goncher, 43, of Aurora has worked for state Rep. Tim Schmitz, R-Batavia, for 14 years. She is Schmitz's head of legislative and constituent services and said her years listening to constituents would help her as a representative in Springfield.

"I've seen the dysfunction in Springfield, and I am the candidate who I think can really hit the ground running," she said.

She said she thinks constituents are most concerned about jobs, pension reform and gun owners' rights.

"The biggest issue is jobs," said Goncher, 43, of Aurora. "We have to address how we treat our employers in this state."

She also recently became the director of the Compassion Foundation, a local non-profit that raises money for local social services agencies.

Bill Keck, 74, who retired as Kane County auditor in 2012 after five terms, said his financial expertise can help with Illinois' trouble finances.

Keck is a lifelong Sugar Grove resident. His grandfather opened a general store there in the 1890s.

"I decided to run because I was concerned about the status of the state and all of its financial problems," Keck said, noting that his financial expertise leaves him suited to combing through the budget looking for waste.

Wheeler, 46, of Oswego is a business owner and fixture in the Kendall County Republican Party.

He said that as an owner of an IT services firm and in his role on the leadership council with the National Federation of Independent Businesses, he has seen first-hand the changes needed to make Illinois more attractive to businesses.

He's an advocate of reforming workers compensation rules, he said, and is opposed to a proposed progressive income tax that "leaves businesses trembling."

He also is a proponent of shifting the state's pensions to a defined contribution system.

Wheeler, who also ran for the same seat in 2010, also chairs the Kendall County Food Pantry.

Though records show Democratic candidate Burd has pulled Republican ballots in primaries dating back at least until 2006, she said, "I'm more of an independent."

"I'm a social moderate and the (Republican) party has swung to the right," she said. "I'm comfortable working with Republicans and Democrats."